Our

People

Unique skill set and personal track records

EXCEED’s management team combines +1000 years of operational industry experience with extensive commercial experience gained across various sectors.

Each of our management team members bring a unique skill set and personal track record, contributing to our position as the industry’s preferred well delivery partner. The addition of key players from the former ADTI group in 2015 has further strengthened the EXCEED team presence in the UKCS. With increased in-house engineering capability, our combined technical and commercial experience creates a powerful platform for growth.

Meet the team

Ian Mills Managing Director

EXCEED’s founding director, Ian trained and worked as a Marine Engineer from 1978 before transferring into the oil & gas industry in 1985. He joined Shell International where he completed the Shell Round 1 and 2 training programme and worked international as a Senior Drilling Supervisor / Engineer. Ian left Shell in 1998 to work for BP on deepwater and HPHT exploration wells and finally as the Technical Limit Leader for the Eastern hemisphere where he successfully pioneered the delivery of standardised performance and knowledge management solutions for the wells teams.

Ian’s greatest achievement is resolutely driving EXCEED's growth from its origins in 2005 to the breadth, depth and track record that it offers today.

Al Brockie Head of Well Management

A highly skilled wells project manager, Al brings over 30 years of experience as a drilling professional, personally spearheading a number of first wells for BP, Shell, Husky, TPAO and others. Al’s international experience includes remote and harsh locations across four continents and since joining EXCEED in 2009 he has successfully project-managed over 15 wells.

Al’s strengths include an exemplary safety track record, strong drilling leadership and the ability to build high-performing multi-discipline teams – a key factor in EXCEED successfully delivering well management services to its clients.

Fiona van der Vossen Legal Counsel

Having initially started her career in law, Fiona worked as an International Tax Manager for PriceWaterhouse and Ernst & Young before moving into the oil & gas sector over 10 years ago. Fiona brings a broad wealth of experience to Exceed, managing their legal and tax affairs both in the UK and internationally. She plays a key role in the planning and implementation of EXCEED's continuous growth in relation to new territories, markets and partnering opportunities.

Fiona also oversees EXCEED's Corporate Social Responsibility activities and in particular their charitable organisation, the EXCEED Trust. A hugely rewarding part of her job and one which she believes makes a genuine difference to the countries that EXCEED operates in.

John Anderson Commercial Director, Wells

A chartered Petroleum Engineer, John has 17 years of industry experience, covering roles from Roustabout through to Drilling Superintendent. As EXCEED’s Commercial Director John oversees the tendering, contracts and supply chain activities. Having worked predominately in the North Sea region, John’s international achievements include overseeing Challenger Minerals’ first operated well in the Gulf of Mexico.

John is a perceptive professional whose balanced approach is grounded in a sound mix of technical and commercial experience. It is this solid grounding that ensures EXCEED consistently deliver for their clients.

Tim Wigham Head of Performance Improvement

With a strong track record in operational leadership, performance coaching and facilitation, Tim is Head of Performance Improvement at EXCEED.

In a competitive market companies are looking for a differentiator, and Tim believes that the performance improvement service that EXCEED can deliver is just that. He passionately believes in empowering people to reach their full potential and gains a great deal of satisfaction when he helps EXCEED clients achieve outstanding performance results.

John Simpson Well Test & Decommissioning Manager

Having started his career as an Instrument Engineer for British Steel, John transitioned to the Oil & Gas industry 24 years ago joining Expro Group as a Well Test Supervisor. In his role John is responsible for the delivery of DST’s, completions, workovers, interventions and decommissioning projects from conceptional design through to operation completion and close out.

John is an experienced well test engineer and team leader who brings a high degree of professionalism and can-do attitude to any project – delivering on EXCEED's commitment to go above and beyond ensuring the best possible results for clients.

Catherine Jones Resourcing Lead

With a background in recruitment consultancy, Catherine has worked at EXCEED, as a Resourcing Lead, for five years and is responsible for resourcing all wells and performance improvement projects. Recruiting for on and offshore positions, Catherine is the focal point for all contractors pre, during and post mobilisation.

With an ever-increasing headcount in staff and contracted personnel, every day is different. Catherine’s role provides her with a diverse and challenging job as she contributes to other areas of the business such as competency, management systems and international tenders.

Catherine is the team’s “people person”, understanding how each individual ticks and how to pull together the most efficient team. People are EXCEED’s priority and there is a strong focus on team building and ensuring everyone feels part of the EXCEED family.

John McNab Completions & Workover Manager

John has worked for EXCEED as a Completions & Workover Manager for 3 years having been part of ADTI for 18 years previously. In his role John is responsible for planning and supervising the process of preparing a well for production.

John’s role can be challenging, as each client will bring their own specific requirements for a well completion project, but this is where John believes the EXCEED team’s expertise and comradery pays dividends. Everyone enjoys working together and contributing to the success of projects which is extremely positive when the business is growing, and the number of projects is also increasing.

Ross Mack Subsea Manager

With over 25 years’ experience in the oil & gas industry, Ross moved to EXCEED as a Subsea Manager during the ADTI buyout in 2015.

His experience covers the spectrum from basic well drilling through to multi-well completions and workovers, supporting project teams from a subsea perspective on both commercial and technical aspects.

Ross manages a number of key EXCEED clients, handling the on / offshore project personnel. Ross recognises staff turnover in this sector can be high, EXCEED's focus on investing in its people and creating an environment where they feel valued helps to retain personnel and therefore continuity for clients.

Derek Wasyliszyn Financial Controller

Derek is one of the first members of the EXCEED team, starting his career as Office Manager before progressing into his current role as Financial Controller.

EXCEED’s growth has given Derek the opportunity to develop professionally and be involved in a variety of projects. His role is exceptionally varied and crosses all streams of the business, having regular input into tenders, and the HR and IT functions. Forecasting is an important part of Derek’s role, not only helping to set the strategic direction of the business but to look at better ways of making the business more efficient.

Bart Van De Laar Wells Project Manager/Operations Director

Bart is a chartered mechanical engineer and brings almost 20 years’ experience to his role. A self-confessed problem solver, Bart’s expertise covers all aspects of well design, planning and execution. Exploration, appraisal and development of wells across the globe have consolidated his commercial acumen and have ensured he is highly valued by clients and stakeholders alike.

Bart is a great believer in the importance of relationship-building throughout the project planning and delivery journey; a focus which is integral to EXCEED's ethos.

Iain Scott Business Development Manager

Beginning his career in oil and gas as a Drilling Fluids Engineer, Iain spent several years as a Project Engineer for Schlumberger managing remote projects before progressing to a sales role and in recent years has been Schlumberger’s Global Account Manager for London based operators.

Focusing on small–medium sized operators, and working with the world’s largest oilfield services company has gained him broad geographic exposure and regional market insight. In this capacity, Iain was impressed by EXCEED long before he joined the team! Admiring the company’s professionalism, knowledge base and ability to respond with flexibility to clients’ requirements, Iain is delighted to be a part of EXCEED at a time when it is strengthening its global profile, and growing at an exponential rate.

Mike Wright QHSE Manager

With over 15 years of industry experience, Mike has a worked globally across many industries including oil and gas, renewables and construction. He has extensive experience of engaging with regulators, from mature legislative regimes - such as the UKCS - to those of developing countries, ensuring Well Operatorships and permitting are achieved efficiently and in plenty of time.

EXCEED’s HSE-focused mindset ensures that Mike has input at a strategic and operational level; ensuring that no two days are the same! Whether it’s meeting government agencies in-country for a well management project or completing travel risk assessments, it’s this variety that he enjoys.

Mike joined EXCEED three years ago and oversees all aspects of the company’s QHSE.